Giovinazzo
Encyclopedia
Giovinazzo is a port city situated on the Adriatic coast in the region of Apulia
, southern Italy
. Giovinazzo lies 18 km WNW of the provincial capital of Bari
, and is adjacent to the city of
Molfetta
.
, who called it Natolium, maybe built on the ruins of the Peucete
Netium destroyed during the Punic Wars
. It became later a flourishing commercial centre, that had trading connections with Venice
.
In the neighbourhood is Castel del Monte, one of the most famous castles in Italy.
Apulia
Apulia is a region in Southern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, and the Strait of Òtranto and Gulf of Taranto in the south. Its most southern portion, known as Salento peninsula, forms a high heel on the "boot" of Italy. The region comprises , and...
, southern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Giovinazzo lies 18 km WNW of the provincial capital of Bari
Bari
Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea, in Italy. It is the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after Naples, and is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas...
, and is adjacent to the city of
Molfetta
Molfetta
Molfetta is a city and comune of the province of Bari in the southern Italian region of Apulia, on the Adriatic coast, at sea-level. It is 25 km WNW of Bari.It has a well restored old city, and its own dialect.- History :...
.
History
It was a small fortified centre of the RomansAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
, who called it Natolium, maybe built on the ruins of the Peucete
Peuceti
The Peuceti were an ancient people living in Peucetia, the area southwards the modern Bari , Apulia, in southern Italy. This is mentioned by the ancient Greeks and old historians, and the area is described as being divided into Daunia , Peucetia and Messapia...
Netium destroyed during the Punic Wars
Punic Wars
The Punic Wars were a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage from 264 B.C.E. to 146 B.C.E. At the time, they were probably the largest wars that had ever taken place...
. It became later a flourishing commercial centre, that had trading connections with Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
.
Main sights
- The cathedralCathedralA cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta (12th-13th century), in characteristic Apulian RomanesqueRomanesque architectureRomanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
style, featuring Eastern and Western elements. - Ducal Palace (16th century)
- Two columns of the Via TraianaVia Traiana300px|thumb|Via TraianaThe Via Traiana was an ancient Roman road. It was built by the emperor Trajan as an extension of the Via Appia from Beneventum, reaching Brundisium by a shorter route...
, which however did not pass through the city.
In the neighbourhood is Castel del Monte, one of the most famous castles in Italy.
Notable people
- American actor John TurturroJohn TurturroJohn Michael Turturro is an American actor, writer and director known for his roles in the films Do the Right Thing , Miller's Crossing , Barton Fink , Quiz Show , The Big Lebowski , O Brother, Where Art Thou? and the Transformers film series...
's father, Nicholas Turturro, immigrated to the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from Giovinazzo in the first half of the 20th century.